[bryandi]

I know this a ambiguous question but I want to know what people think of the "new" Moor chip knife. I am seriously thinking about buying (its in my shopping basket) but I am holding off to hear what you guys think from usage. One thing I am curious about is the ergonomically shaped handle. Everybody has a different size or shape I guess. So I am just curious. Also anybody here deal with chippingaway.com before. Also just curious about how "sharpe" their sharpe really is? I am a pretty novice sharpener and want to be set up nicely... call me lazy!!
Thanks in advance.

Bryan

[mdallensr]

Dennis Moor and his company are great to deal with. I took a weekend chip carving seminar with Dennis a few years ago and bought his original chip carving knives at that time. I like the new one but don't own it yet. I saw Dennis use the new knife at WCI's open house and I think it really is a big improvement over his old knives.

One key to good chip carving is consistency in your cuts and angles. His new knife helps you achieve that. More chip carving is on my to-do list, but that list is getting longer rather than shorter so I'm not in a hurry to get the new knife. Let us know if you do get one and how you like it. BTW, Moor's demonstrations, or those by other chip carvers, are very helpful in getting started right. If you don't know how to get your knife sharp, and keep it sharp, you could get frustrated pretty quickly. Good luck. Mike

[bryandi]

Thanks Mike for your response.
I am going to purchase the knife and ceramic stones to go with it.

One more question about sharpening. Dennis moor recommends on his site that a person should strop which to me is the standard. But I know Wayne Barton doesn't strop, he just goes to the ultra fine stone (polishing stone) and says thats good to go. Is stroping a must final step or just personal prefernce?? thanks again
Bryan

[Merle Rice]

Bryan, I got the Set of Chip Carving knives from Moors a few years ago, I guess they are the ones that you are talking about. They are ergonomically shaped handle. (not wood). They are not sharp when you get them, they charge you extra to sharpen them. $1.00 or so. I had them sharpen mine and they looked like they were done on the Sidewalk. Terrible to say the least. Sent E-mail to POP and they made it good by sending a book on Chip Carving. I didn't send the knives back because I had them Sharp the way I liked them. I like the way it feels and use it often. As with any carving knife you must keep it sharp. I feel it is a good Company to deal with. Merle

[bryandi]

Thanks Merle.. glad to hear that POP did something for ya! sounds like a good company.
I am paying to have mine "sharpened" so we'll see what kind of edge they give me.. I might be learning how to sharpen soon! haha
thanks for your response.

Bryan

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Dennis Moor is a good person to deal with.. I don't have the new knife, but I do have his wood handle knife and its a good one. As for stropping, I much prefer to hit the knife with a strop as grind away more metal on the stone or sandpaper......imho The knife just doesn't feel finished to me until stropped...you ever see a barber that didn't strop his razor?

[papasar]

I have many different chip carving knives that were given to me including the "new Moor knife". I use only my Denny's both large and small. The rest I give to any new carver who wants to learn chip carving. I found that when teaching a newbie, the Moor knife almost forces them to hold the knife correctly because of the shape of the handle. I don't use it because I am a lefty and got very used to my favorites. Used to love my Notto with the thin blade until I busted a few.
Bill K.

[bryandi]

I like the fact that the handle is shaped to induce the proper angle... sounds good. We'll see what I can produce with the knife.
thanks for all the responses, very helpful
Bryan

[wood4tom]

Hello chippers,
I thought I would weigh in on the Moor's chipcarving knife. I think the design is GREAT! As someone else mentioned the knife helps you maintain consistent angles. My concern is with the thickness of the blade. Compared to the 2Cherries I use it's like using an axe. Too thick. I think the company is probably a very good one to order from... if you live in Canada. I tried to order some of their basswood boxes and found out ordering something from Canada is not as simple as it seems. Especially if something goes wrong. After six weeks and calls to Chipping Away and the PO they cheerfully refunded my $$. It made me leary of ordering from them again. If you are looking for a good chip kinfe, I reccomend 2 Cherries, sharpens like a dream and very thin in section.

Safe carving and chipping y'all.
Tom in NC